NMHM | MAY 2023

Visitors Celebrate the Opening of Enchantorama!
On Friday April 14, the New Mexico History Museum unveiled “Enchantorama! New Mexico Magazine Turns 100” with remarks by Cabinet Secretary Garcia y Griego and Department of Tourism Cabinet Secretary Schroer. EnchantOrama! is a new exhibit showcasing how New Mexico Magazine evolved over the decades along with coverage of key moments in history and New Mexico’s unique cultural celebrations. Visitors are invited to take a step back in time with an interactive vignette depicting a mid-century office complete with a vintage typewriter. Congratulations to the museum staff who contributed to the success of the exhibition!

On Sunday April 16, visitors were welcomed to the museum for a public reception hosted by the Women's Board of the Museum of New Mexico. This free admission day event brought 310 visitors into the museum. Photographer Mark Nohl was in attendance, who humbly shared that he worked for the magazine for almost 25 years and was excited to see his work on display.

The exhibit is set to run through February 16, 2024.

Archivists Convene, Focus on Inclusive Archives
Albuquerque hosted the Society of Southwestern Archivists' (SAA) conference on April 27 -28. Covering six states, SSA serves over 500 archivists, special collections librarians, preservationists, conservators, record managers, and others interested in the preservation of documentary heritage. Presenters addressed hot topics in the field, including community engagement, diversifying archives, and expanding access. History Museum and DCA staff attended, including three members of the Local Arrangements Committee: Brian Graney (MOIFA), Abby Smith (MOA), and Kathleen Dull (NMHM), as well as Amy Montoya from the Center for New Mexico Archaeology. Additional attendees include Hannah Abelbeck (Local Arrangements), Ada Negraru (presenter), and Heather McClure (poster).

Thank you to New Mexico History Museum Volunteers
The New Mexico History Museum honored volunteers with a luncheon and recognition awards on April 17. The museum recognized volunteers for high rates of service hours, consistent schedules for projects and tour guides. Also honored were those volunteers with 20, 15, and 10 years of service. The appreciation luncheon honored all volunteers who play a huge role in supporting the museum’s vision and approach by serving the institution’s Education Program through training and research, development and presentation of tours, and other educational initiatives that lead to a better understanding of the Museum’s mission, collections, and special exhibitions. While all docents are volunteers not all volunteers are docents. The docents’ role is to stimulate visitor curiosity, imagination, and active participation of members of a tour group. Docents participate in a rigorous education training program that provides background knowledge and various viewpoints about New Mexico’s history to be successful in encouraging visitors to actively engage with the exhibitions.

Meet Alex Wilson, Director, Leadership Giving for the History Museum and Historic Sites

It is a pleasure to introduce myself to the Trustees as the new Director, Leadership Giving for the History Museum and Historic Sites. The museums and historic sites the Foundation supports have provided important historical and cultural context to my experience living in New Mexico. I look forward to learning about your individual experiences with these essential institutions and advocating for the NMHM and NMHS. Please feel free to reach out directly to alex@museumfoundation.org to schedule a time to grab a coffee or lunch for initial introductions. Can't wait to meet you and hear about your connection to these wonderful places!